Saddlers boss in warning to players

Walsall boss Dean Smith today insisted his mind is made up over new contracts – but insisted the Saddlers must remain professional.

The manager maintained tomorrow's League One finale at MK Dons will not change his thoughts over offering new deals.

The club will reveal their retained list once Smith has held talks with his out-of-contract stars – including Manny Smith, Jimmy Walker and Emmanuel Ledesma – early next week.

Several of the squad are likely to be axed but Smith insisted they must keep focused.

He said: "There are an awful lot of lads whose contracts are up at the end of the season.

"I know who I want but they don't. I know my players well enough to know what they are about and what they can and can't do. What tomorrow is about is them showing their professionalism to go and win a football game. It's about what we do.

"I'll make sure our attitude is right and we'll be going there to win.

"If we put in a performance like in the second half against Huddersfield we'll have every chance of going and getting a good result. MK Dons are a really good team and going for the play-offs."

Skipper Andy Butler today urged Walsall to embrace the moment and enjoy pressure-free football after securing safety against Huddersfield last weekend.

He said: "There's no pressure on us at all and you never know, when the pressure is off, we could go and beat them at their place.

"It's been a tough season but there's a lot of relief. We can go and enjoy training, playing and life."

Butler lifted the lid on the dressing room celebrations after ensuring safety.

He admitted the squad didn't know they had definitely survived until they left the pitch with Notts County scoring two late goals to relegate Wycombe.

"To see the scenes in the dressing room was great; everyone was hugging and jumping," he said.

* Walsall All Stars and Wolves All Stars will play a charity match at the Banks's Stadium on Thursday, May 17 (7.30pm).

Admission is £3.50 for adults and £1.50 for concessions with proceeds going to cancer charities.